Rotary lawn mower with safety features

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a rotary lawn mower including a discharge chute of inverted U-shape form and including spaced side walls and an upper portion including a downwardly projecting central portion extending in the middle between the side walls and increasing in width in the direction between the side walls with increasing distance from the periphery of the path of the cutter blade, and decreasing in height above the ground with increasing distance from the periphery of the path of the cutter blade. In addition, the lawn mower includes a protective bar extending across the discharge chute in spaced relation below the upper discharge chute wall and including an arcuate portion located adjacent to the periphery of the cutter blade path. In one embodiment, the radial distance between the bar and the periphery of the cutter blade path decreases in the direction of rotation of the cutter blade. Still further, the bar includes a surface extending adjacent to the periphery of the cutter blade path and in inclined, radially outward and downward relation to the periphery of the cutter blade path.

United States Patent [191 Dahl etal.

[ ROTARY LAWN MOWER WITH SAFETY FEATURES [75] Inventors: Einar S. Dahl;Earl H. Kidd, both of Galesburg, 111.

[73] Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation,

Waukegan, lll.

[22] Filed: Apr. 3, 1972 [2]] Appl. N0.: 240,476

[52] US. Cl ..56/320.2

[51] Int. Cl. ..A0ld 67/00 [58] Field of Search ..56/320.2, 13.3, 13.4,56/l7.4, 17.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,864,226 12/1958 Bright..56/l3.4

3,646,740 3/1972 Grimes.... ..56/302 2 3,648,445 3/1972 Efflandt.....56/320 2 3,667,199 6/1972 Bloom ..56/320 2 2,969,634 l/1961 Lannert.....56/13 4 3,118,267 I/1964 Shaw ....56/17.5

3,509,703 5/1970 Kunz ..56/17.4

[451 May 1, 1973 Primary Examiner-Russell R. Kinsey Attorney-Robert E.Clemency et al.

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is a rotary lawn mower including adischarge chute of inverted U-shape form and including spaced side wallsand an upper portion including a downwardly projecting central portionextending in the middle between the side walls and increasing in widthin the direction between the side walls with increasing distance fromthe periphery of the path of the cutter blade, and decreasing in heightabove the ground with increasing distance from the periphery of the pathof the cutter blade. in addition, the lawn mower includes a protectivebar extending across the discharge chute in spaced relation below theupper discharge chute wall and including an arcuate portion locatedadjacent to the periphery of the cutter blade path. in one embodiment,the radial distance between the bar and the periphery of the cutterblade path decreases in the direction of rotation of the cutter blade.Still further, the bar includes a surface extending adjacent to theperiphery of the cutter blade path and in inclined, radially outward anddownward relation to the periphery of the cutter blade path.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ROTARY LAWN MOWER WITH SAFETY FEATURESBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION by the operators foot or hand.

Examples of prior rotary mowers including arrangements for preventinghigh velocity projection of solid articles through discharge chutes andfor minimizing the possibility of contact with the cutter blade by thehand or foot of the user are disclosed in the lrgens U.S. Pat. No.3,420,041 issued .lan. 7, 1969, and the Heidner et al. U.S. Pat. No.3,453,821 issued July 8, 1969. Employment of arrangements for changingthe direction of grass clipping movement have been successful in somerespects but such arrangements often have a tendency to clog thedischarge chute under some conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a rotary mower includinga horizontally extending discharge chute provided with a protective barwhich extends at least partially across the discharge chute in spacedrelation below the upper wall of the discharge chute and in closelyadjacent radial relation to the periphery of the cutter blade path.

The invention further provides a rotary mower including a horizontallyextending discharge chute provided with a protective bar which canextend less than the full distance across the discharge chute and whichcan be secured to one of the depending walls of the discharge chute andin spaced relation below the upper wall of the discharge chute and inclosely adjacent radial relation to the periphery of the cutter bladepath.

The invention further provides a rotary mower including a horizontallyextending discharge chute provided with a protective bar across thedischarge chute in the plane of the cutting blade and in closelyadjacent radial relation to the periphery of the cutter blade path.

Preferably, the protective bar includes a radially inner surface whichextends in adjacent relation to the periphery ofthe cutter blade pathand which is inclined radially outwardly and downwardly and whichextends from above to below the cutter blade path and arcuately suchthat the radial distance from the periphery of the cutter blade path tothe protective bar diminishes in the direction of cutter blade rotation.Such diminishing radial distance serves to reduce or prevent clogging,as the closely adjacent movement of the cutter blade relative to theprotective bar serves to clean the protective bar of grass.Alternatively, at least some of the advantages of the invention can beobtained when the radial distance from the periphery of the cutter bladepath to the protective bar is either uniform or increases in thedirection of cutter blade rotation.

Also in accordance with the invention, the upper or top wall of thedischarge chute is provided with a downwardly projecting centrallylocated member adapted to prevent undesirable entry of the users hand orfoot into the chute. In the preferred form of the in vention, thedischarge chute is provided with a downwardly projecting central orblocking portion which increases in width with increasing distance fromthe periphery of the cutter blade path and which decreases in heightabove the ground with increasing distance from the periphery of thecutter blade path. The central portion of the top discharge chute wall,together with the chute side walls, define spaced tunnels for travel ofthe grass clippings in adjacent relation to the forwardly and rearwardlylocated side walls. Preferably, the central top wall portion and theside walls are contoured so as to provide each of the tunnels withdownwardly concave upper surfaces.

Preferably, the protective bar of the invention and the chuteconfiguration of the invention are employed together to maximize safetywith minimum restriction to cut grass discharge through the dischargechute.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of a lawnmower which is designed to prevent inadvertent contact with the cutterbar through the discharge chute by the hand or foot of the user.

Another principal object of the invention is the provision of a lawnmower which includes a protective bar extending across the dischargechute below the top wall thereof and in closely adjacent relation to theperiphery of the cutter blade.

Another principal object of the invention is the provision of a lawnmower which includes a protective bar extending less than the fulldistance across the discharge chute below the top wall thereof and inclosely adjacent relation to the periphery of the cutter blade.

Another principal object of the invention is the provision of a lawnmower which includes a protective bar extending across the dischargechute in the plane of the cutting blade and in closely adjacent relationto the periphery of the path of the cutting blade so as to obstruct theprojection of solid objects which have been struck squarely by theleading edge of the blade and therefore have the highest velocity.

Another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of alawn mower as described in the foregoing paragraph and in which theprotective bar includes a surface which is adjacent to the periphery ofthe cutter blade path and extends in inclined relation radiallyoutwardly and downwardly so as to downwardly deflect solid objectsprojected by the cutter blade without materially adversely affecting cutgrass delivery through the discharge chute. In this regard, cut grass isreadily blown out the discharge chute above the protective bar.

Another of the principalobjects of the invention is the provision of arotary blade housing including a discharge chute configuration which hasa minimum adverse affect on grass delivery therethrough whilesimultaneously affording an effective obstacle to inadvertent contactwith the cutter blade, through the discharge chute, of the users hand orfoot.

Still another of the principal objects of the invention is the provisionof a rotary lawn mower housing including a discharge chute configurationincluding an upper wall having a central portion which increases invwidth and decreases in height above the ground with. increasing distancefrom the periphery of the cutter blade path. i

' Still another object of the invention is the provision of a rotarylawn mower housing including both a protective bar and a discharge chuteconfiguration in accordance with the invention.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a rotary mowerhousing including both a protective bar and a discharge chuteconfiguration including an upper wall having a central portion whichincreases in width and decreases in height above the ground withincreasing distance from the periphery of the cutter blade path suchthat the overall width of the mower housing, including the dischargechute, is not increased, notwithstanding employment of the protectivebar or the downwardly extending central portion of the discharge chute.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known byreference to the following description and claims and the accompanyingdrawings.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a rotary mower embodying various ofthe features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially broken away side elevational view of the rotarymower shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangements of parts set forth in the followinggeneral description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, sincethe invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orcarried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that thephraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose ofdescription and not of limitation.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Shown in the drawings is a rotary lawn mower 11including a blade housing 13 which is supported in spaced relation abovethe ground 17 (FIG. 2) and for travel along the ground 17 by a pluralityof wheels 19. The blade housing 13 supports a prime mover 21 which canbe an internal combustion engine and which includes an output shaftcarrying a cutter blade 23 rotatable in the direction shown by the arrow24 in a generally horizontal plane. Various cutter blade configurationscan be employed. In the illustrated construction, the cutter blade 23includes diametrically opposed tip portions 25 which respectivelyinclude cutting edges 26 and which, rearwardly in the direction ofrotation from the cutting edges 26, are curved arcuately upwardly asshown in FIG. 4.

The blade housing 13 has connected thereto, at the rear, a fragmentarilyillustrated handle 27 and includes an upper or top deck 29 located abovethe cutter blade 23 and an annular or circular wall31 which depends fromthe top deck 29 and extends in adjacent relation to the periphery of thecutter blade path. While other arrangements could be employed, in thespecifically illustrated construction, the spacing from the radiallyouter tip 33 of the cutter blade 23 to the circular wall 31 can be aboutbetween one-fourth and one-half inch. In addition, the annular orcircular wall 31 extends somewhat below the plane of cutter blademovement. While other arrangements could be employed, in thespecifically illustrated construction, the circular wall 31 extendsbelow the cutter blade path for a distance of about between one-fourthand one-half inch, in the area of from about l:30 oclock to about 9oclock when viewed from the underside of blade housing 13 as shown inFIG. 1 (12 oclock being at the front of the mower). At the front of themower, i.e., from about 10:30 oclock to about 1:30 o'clock, the verticalheight of the circular wall 31 terminates so that the bottom edge 37 isslightly above the plane of rotary cutter blade movement. While otherarrangements could be employed, in the illustrated construction, thebottom edge 37 is approximately about one-half inch above the plane ofrotary cutter blade movement. However, as can be readily seen from FIGS.1 and 2, there extends, forwardly of the arcuate wall 31, in the areafrom about 10:30 oclock to about 1:30 oclock, a forwardly extendingguard or brow structure 39 which can extend downwardly to a positionbelow the plane of rotary cutter movement so as to assist in preventingunwanted forward projection of articles outwardly from under the housingby the cutter blade.

The annular or circular wall 31 is interrupted between about 9 oclockand about 12 oclock and terminates with end portions 41 and 43 which arearcuately spaced at about Extending from the end portions 41 and 43 ofthe arcuate wall 31 is a discharge chute 47 including spaced forwardlyand rearwardly located side walls 49 and 51, respectively, and an upperwall 53 which connects the side walls 49 and 51 and can extend eitherfrom the top deck 29 or from an annular wall portion extending betweenthe end portions 41 and 43 and downwardly from the top deck 29 above theopening in the annular wall 31 defined by the end portions 41 and 43.

The forward chute side wall 49 extends almost tangentially from thefront of the depending arcuate wall 31, i.e., from about 12 oclock, butat a slightly rearward angle, and the rearward chute side wall 51extends generally transversely to the path of intended rearward mowertravel. Thus, the chute side walls 49 and 51 converge slightly.

The top deck 29 is also provided with a top opening 57 which can beremovably closed with a cover 59 and is more fully disclosed in the ShawUS. Pat. No. 3,1 l8,267 issued Jan. 21, 1964.

As thus far described, the construction of the blade housing 13 isconventional.

In accordance with the invention and in order to provide increasedprotection against injury to the user by reason of possible contact withthe cutter blade 23 through the discharge chute 47, there is provided aprotective bar or member 61 which extends between the annular wall endportions 41 and 43 in the area of the plane of rotary cutter blademovement.

The protective bar 61 includes a centrally located and arcuatelyextending guard portion 63 and two end portions or parts 67 and 69 whichcan be connected to the blade housing 13 by any suitable means. Althoughother arrangements can be employed, in the particularly illustratedconstruction, the forwardly located end portion 67 includes an car whichis apertured for passage therethrough of a bolt 71 which is threadedinto the blade housing 13. Similarly, the rearwardly located end portion69 is apertured for passage therethrough of a bolt 73 which is threadedinto the blade housing 13, thereby to mount the protective bar 61 to theblade housing 13.

In accordance with the invention, the arcuately extending guard portion63 extends between the annular wall end portions 41 and 43 and inadjacent relation to the periphery of the cutter blade path and in suchmanner that the radial distance from the periphery of the cutter bladepath to the arcuately extending guard portion 63 decreases in thedirection of cutter blade rotation. While other specific constructionscan be employed, in the illustrated construction, such radial distancediminishes slightly from about seven-eights inch to about one-half inch.Alternatively, at least some of the advantages of the invention can beobtained when such radial distance is either uniform or slightlyincreases in the direction of cutter blade rotation.

The guard portion 63 also includes an inner surface 77 which extendsadjacent to the periphery of the cutter blade path and from above tobelow the plane of cutter blade rotation and which, in horizontal crosssection, is arcuate and, in vertical cross section, extends in inclinedrelation radially outwardly and downwardly. The surface 77 includes anupper edge 79 which extends radially outwardly of and above theperiphery of the cutter blade path and a lower edge 81 which extendsradially outwardly of and below the periphery of the cutter blade path.As indicated earlier, the radial distance of the upper and lower edges79 and 81 from the periphery of the cutter blade path decreases in thedirection of cutter blade rotation.

While other constructions are possible in the illustrated construction,the length of the surface between the upper and lower edges 79 and 81 issuch that the upper edge 79 is located at least adjacent to andpreferably above the periphery of the upper edge of the cutter bladepath and such that the lower edge 81 is located below the periphery ofthe lower edge of the rotary path of the cutter blade 23.

Employment of the disclosed protective bar 61 serves to block contact bythe hand or foot of a user with the cutter blade 23 while avoidingundesirable reduction or restriction in the capacity of the dischargechute 47 to handle or convey the cut grass discharge from the bladehousing 13. The downward and outward inclination of the surface 77 ofthe central guard portion 63 of the protective bar 61 serves to deflectdownwardly any solid article propelled outwardly of the discharge chuteby the cutter blade 23 and to thereby prevent such outward projection ofsolid articles. In addition, the approach of the upper edge 79 of theprotective bar 61, in the direction of blade movement, toward and intoclose proximity to the path of the cutter blade periphery, serves toprevent substantial hang up of cut grass on the protective bar 61 byfacilitating travel of such hung up clippings toward the rearward end ofthe protective bar 61 where such clippings can be more readily removedby action of the cutter blade 23 due to the greater proximity of thecutter blade 23 to the protective bar 61.

Also in accordance with the invention, the discharge chute 47 iscontoured to restrict entrance therein of a hand or foot withoutmaterially adversely affecting the grass clipping discharge capacity ofthe chute. Various arrangements can be employed, as for instance, a pinor other member can extend downwardly from the central part of the upperdischarge chute wall. In the illustrated construction, the upper wall 53of the discharge chute 47 is provided with a downwardly projectingcentral portion 87 which is located in the middle between the side walls49 and 51, and which tapers outwardly from the periphery of the cutterblade path, i.e.,- which has a width which increases withincreasingdistance from the periphery of the cutter blade path. Inaddition, the central portion 87 is formed so that the height of thecentral portion 8'7 above the ground diminishes with increasing distancefrom the periphery of the cutter blade path. The general shape of theupper discharge chute wall 53 is thereby divided by the central portion87 into forwardly and rearwardly located tunnels 89 and 91,respectively. Preferably, the upper surfaces which define the centralportion 87, as well as the tunnels 89 and 91, are formed with adownwardly concave shape so as to facilitate grass clipping discharge.

As a result of the foregoing described construction, the central portion87 provides an obstacle to entry of the operators foot or hand into thedischarge chute 47 without materially adversely affecting delivery ofcut grass from the discharge chute 47 in the tunnels or areas 89 and 91to the side of and beneath the central portion 87.

The chute configuration just described can be provided by adding aninsert to a discharge chute having a generally rectangular cross sectionbetween the chute side walls or alternatively, the disclosedconfiguration can be integrally provided in the blade housing.

Both of the protective bar 61 and the configuration of the dischargechute 47 provide increased safety and, although each can be separatelyused to obtain at least some of the advantages of the invention, it ispreferred to simultaneously employ both the protective bar and thedisclosed chute contour. In this regard, when a discharge chute with adepending central portion 87 and the protective bar 61 are bothemployed, a somewhat smaller protective bar can be employed, therebymaximizing avoidance of any restriction by the protective bar to grassclipping discharge through the discharge chute.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

l. A rotary lawn mower comprising a rotary blade housing including a topdeck, a circular wall depending from said top deck and having an arcuateextent less that 360 and terminating with arcuately spaced end portions,a plurality of wheels mounted on said housing for supporting saidhousing for travel in spaced relation above the ground, a cutter bladesupported by said housing for rotary movement within said housing andbeing dimensioned such that the periphery of the path of cutter bladetravel is adjacent to said circular wall, means defining a dischargechute extending from said arcuately spaced end portions of said circularwall and including a top wall and an outer end spaced radially outwardlyfrom the path of said cutter blade, and a bar extending at leastpartially between said end portions of said circular wall in downwardlyspaced relation from said top wall of said discharge chute and includingan arcuate portion extending adjacent to the periphery of the path ofsaid cutter blade in inclined radially outward and downward relation tothe periphery of the path of said cutter blade.

2. A rotary lawn mower comprising a rotary blade housing including a topdeck, a circular wall depending from said top deck and having an arcuateextent less than 360 and terminating with arcuately spaced end portions,a plurality of wheels mounted on said housing for supporting saidhousing for travel in spaced relation above the ground, a cutter bladesupported by said housing for rotary movement within said housing andbeing dimensioned such that the periphery of the path of cutter bladetravel is adjacent to said circular wall, means defining a dischargechute which is generally of inverted U-shape form and which includesspaced side walls and a top wall extending between said side walls andincluding a downwardly projecting central portion extending in themiddle between said side walls, and a bar extending at least partiallybetween said end portions of said circular wall in downwardly spacedrelation from said top wall of said discharge chute.

3. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bar ispositioned relative to said cutter blade so that the space between thepath of said cutter blade and said arcuate bar portion decreases in theintended direction of cutter blade rotation.

4. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 1 wherein said arcuatebar portion includes an upper edge located radially outwardly and abovethe periphery of the path of said cutter blade.

5. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bladeincludes an outer tip and said arcuate bar portion includes a surfaceextending adjacent to the upper edge of the periphery of the path ofsuch blade tip.

6. A rotary lawn mower in accordance'with claim 1 wherein said arcuatebar portion includes a lower edge located radially outwardly of andbelow the periphery of the path of said cutter blade.

7. A rotary lawn mower comprising a rotary blade housing including a topdeck, a circular wall depending from said top deck and having an arcuateextent less than 360 and terminating with arcuately spaced end portions,a plurality of wheels mounted on said housing for supporting saidhousing for travel in spaced relation above the ground, a cutter bladesupported by said housing for rotary movement within said housing, and

means defining a discharge chute extending from said arcuately spacedend portions of said circular wall, said discharge chute being generallyof inverted U-shape form and including spaced side walls having uppermargins and an upper wall extending between said upper margins of saidside walls and including a downwardly projecting central portionextending in approximately the middle between said side walls.

8. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 7 and further includinga bar extending between said end portions of said circular wall indownwardly spaced relation from said upper wall of said discharge chute.

9. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 7 wherein said centralportion increases in width in the direction between said side walls withincreasing distance from the periphery of the path of said cutter blade.

10. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 7 wherein said centralportion decreases in height above the ground with increasing distancefrom the periphery of the path of said cutter blade.

11. A rotary lawn mower comprising a rotary blade housing including atop deck, a circular wall depending from said top deck and having anarcuate extent less than 360 and terminating with arcuately spaced endportions, a plurality of wheels mounted on said housing for supportingsaid housing for travel in spaced relation above the ground, a cutterblade supported by said housing for rotary movement within said housingand being dimensioned such that the periphery of the path of cutterblade travel is adjacent to said circular wall, means defining adischarge chute extending from said arcuately spaced end portions ofsaid circular wall, said discharge chute being generally of invertedU-shape form and including spaced side walls and an upper wall extendingbetween said side walls and including a downwardly projecting centralportion extending in the middle between said side walls, said centralportion increasing in width in the direction between said side wallswith increasing distance from the periphery of the path of said cutterblade, and said central portion also decreasing in height above theground with increasing distance from the periphery of the path of saidcutter blade, a bar extending between said end portions of said circularwall in downwardly spaced relation from said upper discharge chute walland including an arcuate portion located adjacent to the periphery ofthe path of said cutter blade.

12. A rotary lawn mower comprising a rotary blade housing including atop deck, a circular wall depending from said top deck and having anarcuate extent less than 360 and terminating with arcuately spaced endportions, a plurality of wheels mounted on said housing for supportingsaid housing for travel in spaced relation above the ground, a cutterblade supported by said housing for rotary movement within said housingand being dimensioned such that the periphery of the path of cutterblade travel is adjacent to said circular wall, means defining adischarge chute extending from said arcuately spaced end portions ofsaid circular wall, said discharge chute being generally of invertedU-shape form and including spaced side walls and an upper wall extendingbetween of said side walls and including a downwardly projecting centralportion extending in the middle between said side walls, said centralportion increasing in width in the direction between said side wallswith increasing distance from the periphery of the path of said cutterblade, and said central portion also decreasing in height above theground with increasing distance from the periphery of the path of saidcutter blade, a bar extending between said end portions of said circularwall in downwardly spaced relation from said upper discharge chute walland including an arcuate portion located adjacent to the periphery ofthe path of said cutter blade and such that the radial distance betweensaid bar and the periphery of the path of said cutter blade decreases inthe direction of cutter wardly of and below the periphery of the path ofsaid cutter blade and an upper edge located radially out wardly andabove the periphery of the path of said cutter blade.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,729,911 Dated May 1, 1973Inyentofls) Eihar S. Dahl et al It is certified that error appears in'the ebove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Abstract, line 3; delete "portion", insert-"Wall"- Column 8., line .53;delete "of" Signed Ia'nd sealed this 27th day of November 1973.

(SEAL) 'Attest EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. -TEGTMEYER AttestingOfficer Acting Commissioner of Patents.

1. A rotary lawn mower comprising a rotary blade housing including a topdeck, a circular wall depending from said top deck and having an arcuateextent less that 360* and terminating with arcuately spaced endportions, a plurality of wheels mounted on said housing for supportingsaid housing for travel in spaced relation above the ground, a cutterblade supported by said housing for rotary movement within said housingand being dimensioned such that the periphery of the path of cutterblade travel is adjacent to said circular wall, means defining adischarge chute extending from said arcuately spaced end portions ofsaid circular wall and including a top wall and an outer end spacedradially outwardly from the path of said cutter blade, and a barextending at least partially between said end portions of said circularwall in downwardly spaced relation from said top wall of said dischargechute and including an arcuate portion extending adjacent to theperiphery of the path of said cutter blade in inclined radially outwardand downward relation to the periphery of the path of said cutter blade.2. A rotary lawn mower comprising a rotary blade housing including a topdeck, a circular wall depending from said top deck and having an arcuateextent less than 360* and terminating with arcuately spaced endportions, a plurality of wheels mounted on said housing for supportingsaid housing for travel in spaced relation above the ground, a cutterblade supported by said housing for rotary movement within said housingand being dimensioned such that the periphery of the path of cutterblade travel is adjacent to said circular wall, means defining adischarge chute which is generally of inverted U-shape form and whichincludes spaced side walls and a top wall extending between said sidewalls and including a downwardly projecting central portion extending inthe middle between said side walls, and a bar extending at leastpartially between said end portions of said circular wall in downwardlyspaced relation from said top wall of said discharge chute.
 3. A rotarylawn mower in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bar is positionedrelative to said cutter blade so that the space between the path of saidcutter blade and said arcuate bar portion decreases in the intendeddirection of cutter blade rotation.
 4. A rotary lawn mower in accordancewith claim 1 wherein said arcuate bar portion includes an upper edgelocated radially outwardly and above the periphery of the path of saidcutter blade.
 5. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid blade includes an outer tip and said arcuate bar portion includes asurface extending adjacent to the upper edge of the periphery of thepath of such blade tip.
 6. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim1 wherein said arcuate bar portion includes a lower edge locatedradially outwardly of and below the periphery of the path of said cutterblade.
 7. A rotary lawn mower comprising a rotary blade housingincluding a top deck, a circular wall depending from said top deck andhaving an arcuate extent less than 360* and terminating with arcuatelyspaced end portions, a plurality of wheels mounted on said housing forsupporting said housing for travel in spaced relation above the ground,a cutter blade supported by said housing for rotary movement within saidhousing, and means defining a discharge chute extending from saidarcuately spaced end portions of said circular wall, said dischargechute being generally of inverted U-shape form and including spaced sidewalls having upper margins and an upper wall extending between saidupper margins of said side walls and including a downwardly projectingcentral portion extending in approximately the middle between said sidewalls.
 8. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 7 and furtherincluding a bar extending between said end portions of said circularwall in downwardly spaced relation from said upper wall of saiddischarge chute.
 9. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 7wherein said central portion increases in width in the direction betweensaid side walls with increasing distance from the periphery of the pathof said cutter blade.
 10. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 7wherein said central portion decreases in height above the ground withincreasing distance from the periphery of the path of said cutter blade.11. A rotary lawn mower comprising a rotary blade housing including atop deck, a circular wall depending from said top deck and having anarcuate extent less than 360* and terminating with arcuately spaced endportions, a plurality of wheels mounted on said housing for supportingsaid housing for travel in spaced relation above the ground, a cutterblade supported by said housing for rotary movement within said housingand being dimensioned such that the periphery of the path of cutterblade travel is adjacent to said circular wall, means defining adischarge chute extending from said arcuately spaced end portions ofsaid circular wall, said discharge chute being generally of invertedU-shape form and including spaced side walls and an upper wall extendingbetween said side walls and including a downwardly projecting centralportion extending in the middle between said side walls, said centralportion increasing in width in the direction between said side wallswith increasing distance from the periphery of the path of said cutterblade, and said central portion also decreasing in height above theground with increasing distance from the periphery of the path of saidcutter blade, a bar extending between said end portions of said circularwall in downwardly spaced relation from said upper discharge chute walland including an arcuate portion located adjacent to the periphery ofthe path of said cutter blade.
 12. A rotary lawn mower comprising arotary blade housing including a top deck, a circular wall dependingfrom said top deck and having an arcuate extent less than 360* andterminating with arcuately spaced end portions, a plurality of wheelsmounted on said housing for supporting said housing for travel in spacedrelation above the ground, a cutter blade supported by said housing forrotary movement within said housing and being dimensioned such that theperiphery of the path of cutter blade travel is adjacent to saidcircular wall, means defining a discharge chute extending from saidarcuately spaced end portions of said circular wall, said dischargechute being generally of inverted U-shape form and including spaced sidewalls and an upper wall extending between of said side walls andincluding a downwardly projecting central portion extending in themiddle between said side walls, said central portion increasing in widthin the direction between said side walls with increasing distance fromthe periphery of the path of said cutter blade, and said central portionalso decreasinG in height above the ground with increasing distance fromthe periphery of the path of said cutter blade, a bar extending betweensaid end portions of said circular wall in downwardly spaced relationfrom said upper discharge chute wall and including an arcuate portionlocated adjacent to the periphery of the path of said cutter blade andsuch that the radial distance between said bar and the periphery of thepath of said cutter blade decreases in the direction of cutter bladerotation, said bar including a surface extending adjacent to theperiphery of the path of said cutter blade, and in inclined radiallyoutward and downward relation to the periphery of the path of saidcutter blade, and including a lower edge located radially outwardly ofand below the periphery of the path of said cutter blade and an upperedge located radially outwardly and above the periphery of the path ofsaid cutter blade.